Empress Effects Heavy

The Heavy is a dual-channel, fully analog high-gain distortion designed by Empress Effects for guitarists covering the range from mid-driven 1980s metal through modern, deeply tuned sounds with scooped midrange. Two independent channels – Heavy and Heavier – each have separate Gain, Output, Weight, and semi-parametric mid controls, allowing two completely different characters to be set on one pedalboard or one channel to serve as a solo boost. A global Hi/Low EQ section calibrates the sound to the specific amplifier and cabinet. A built-in noise gate with two modes (Natural and Aggressive) eliminates noise at extreme gain levels. Input impedance: 1 MΩ. Output impedance: 510 Ω. Frequency response (–3 dB): 35 Hz – 17 kHz. Power: 9–12 V DC, 200 mA. Die-cast aluminium enclosure.

Weight control and semi-parametric mid – how distortion character is shaped

Weight is a high-pass filter control placed inside the distortion stage – not an equalizer after the distortion, but an element changing the saturation character as the signal clips. Turning it up produces a full, dense sound with prominent low-end, useful for open chords and wide rhythm guitar tones. Turning it down sharpens the attack, reduces low-end heaviness, and gives a tighter, more aggressive character for palm muting and extended-range guitar. The semi-parametric mid section selects a centre frequency from three positions and adjusts level by ±10 dB – the control that most defines metal sound character: boosted mids give presence and mix cut, scooped mids deliver aggression and a modern metal character.

Two-mode noise gate and global EQ

The noise gate in the Heavy operates in two modes: Natural (less aggressive, preserves sustain and note transitions) and Aggressive (faster closure for very high gain settings where background noise is audible between riffs). Each channel has its own independent gate mode and threshold setting. The global Hi and Low EQ section operates across both channels simultaneously, allowing fast tonal adjustment to the amplifier's character without changing per-channel settings. Soft-touch relay bypass with intelligent switching delivers quiet, fast channel switching on stage. True bypass removes the pedal's influence on the signal when disengaged. Enclosure dimensions: 114×89×38 mm. Weight: approx. 450 g.

KEY FEATURES

• Fully analog dual-channel distortion (Heavy and Heavier), no digital components
• Weight control per channel – HPF inside the distortion stage shaping low-end character
• Semi-parametric mid band: 3-position frequency selection, ±10 dB
• Global Hi/Low EQ section – calibration for specific amplifier and cabinet
• Built-in noise gate: Natural and Aggressive modes, independent per channel
• Soft-touch relay bypass with intelligent channel switching
• True bypass when disengaged
• Die-cast aluminium enclosure
• Power: 9–12 V DC, 200 mA

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: fully analog dual-channel high-gain distortion
• Channels: 2 (Heavy, Heavier) with independent controls
• Controls per channel: Gain, Output, Weight, Mid Freq (3 positions), Mid Gain (±10 dB)
• Global EQ: Hi, Low
• Noise gate: Natural / Aggressive, independent per channel
• Input impedance: 1 MΩ
• Output impedance: 510 Ω
• Frequency response (–3 dB): 35 Hz – 17 kHz
• Bypass: true bypass (relay)
• Power: 9–12 V DC, centre-negative, 2.1 mm, 200 mA
• Enclosure material: die-cast aluminium
• Dimensions: 114 × 89 × 38 mm (enclosure) / 114 × 89 × 51 mm (including controls)
• Weight: approx. 450 g